Presentation is one of several public speaking events for Franklin as the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at UH Mānoa

HONOLULU — John Hope Franklin, the country‘s foremost African-American historian and the inaugural Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, will present a lecture entitled, "Where Do We Go From Here: Some Reflections on Foreign and Domestic Policies," at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, in Hemenway Theater on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus.

The lecture is free and open to the public. It is one of several presentations to be given by Franklin while he is in residence as the chairholder from March 15-25, 2007. He will also speak at the William S. Richardson School of Law on Monday, March 19, at 4:30 p.m. "A Conversation with Dr. John Hope Franklin," which will be moderated by James O. Horton, UH Mānoa visiting professor of American Studies, will be held in Classroom 2 of the law school.

Established to honor U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye and his late wife, Maggie, for a lifetime of public service, the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals is a position jointly housed in the School of Law and the Department of American Studies in the College of Arts and Humanities at UH Mānoa.

Franklin is the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History at Duke University and perhaps best known for his book "From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans," of which more than three million copies have been sold.

A graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., Franklin received his master‘s and doctoral degrees in history from Harvard University, and has taught at several institutions. He chaired the Department of History at both Brooklyn College and the University of Chicago, and taught at Howard University.

Franklin is the recipient of more than 100 honorary degrees and was one of two historians recently awarded the John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity from the Library of Congress. The Kluge Prize, which totals $1 million, rewards lifetime achievement in the wide range of disciplines not covered by the Nobel prizes, including history, philosophy, politics, anthropology, sociology, religion, criticism in the arts and humanities, and linguistics. Franklin is also the recipient of numerous other honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation‘s highest civilian honor.

For more information regarding Franklin‘s public presentations or his visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, contact James Nishimoto in the Office of the President at (808) 956-8436 or jnish@hawaii.edu, or Kristen Bonilla in External Affairs and University Relations at (808) 956-5039 or cabralkr@hawaii.edu.

Established in 2005 with what has become today an unprecedented investment at the university of nearly $3 million by more than 1,000 donors, the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at UH Mānoa recognizes Senator Inouye‘s service to Hawaiʻi and the nation, as well as Maggie Inouye‘s work in education and for the people of Hawaiʻi. She served with her husband in many capacities throughout his career, including as co-chair of the "Ready to Learn" program in Hawaiʻi. The chair is envisioned as a visiting academic position held by a distinguished public figure. The chairholder will offer lectures and seminars for the campus and the community that emphasize democratic processes and the importance of public life.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi is the state‘s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 50,000 students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu.